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Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight
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Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken coated in a sweet honey and spicy black pepper glaze, tossed with classic creamy mac and cheese. This recipe offers the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and cheesy flavors, making it an ideal meal for weeknights or special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Mac and Cheese Base

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour alternative)
  • 2 cups milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or smoked gouda/pepper jack)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter or oil (for cooking chicken)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, toss them with honey, freshly cracked black pepper, a pinch of salt, and garlic powder. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors fully.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, typically 7-8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water for sauce adjustment if needed, and set aside.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat with butter or oil. Cook the marinated chicken until golden brown, cooked through, and caramelized around the edges. Remove the chicken from heat and set aside.
  4. Create the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually add milk while whisking continuously until the sauce thickens and is smooth. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and sauce is creamy.
  5. Combine and Serve: Mix the cooked elbow macaroni thoroughly with the cheese sauce. Gently fold in the seared honey pepper chicken pieces. Serve immediately while warm to enjoy the creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors.

Notes

  • Use freshly cracked black pepper for a more vibrant flavor compared to pre-ground pepper.
  • Cook pasta al dente to prevent the mac and cheese from becoming mushy when combined with sauce.
  • For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes or longer.
  • Slowly add milk to the roux while whisking to avoid lumps in the cheese sauce.
  • Allow the finished dish to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the sauce thicken perfectly.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey pepper chicken, mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy chicken pasta

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/creamy-honey-pepper-chicken-mac-and-cheese-delight/